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Aboriginal Housing Company Statement

Announcement posted by Aboriginal Housing company 09 Mar 2017

Sydney, Thursday 9th March, 2017 – The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) is committed to delivering The Pemulwuy Project in Redfern and wishes to clarify a number of comments made in recent media articles.
 
Firstly, the AHC wish to clarify the status of the proposed government grant. The Federal Minister for Indigenous Affair’s office proposed a $5million grant toward The Pemulwuy Project in 2015, which is currently still in negotiation stage.
 
The proposed $5million government grant came with a certain number of conditions, which the AHC is already adhering to. The AHC proposed for the grant to be released once a certificate of occupation was obtained at completion of the project. This would minimise the risk on the government.
 
The AHC has been keeping the Minister’s office regularly updated about the status of the project since September 2015, with the most recent meeting with the Minister’s advisor late last year, and further correspondence as recently as last week.
 
The AHC has consistently maintained the above terms for the grant on several occasions with various representatives of the Minister’s office.
 
It is important to note however that a $5million government grant will not cover the cost of building 62 affordable housing dwellings for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, therefore it is imperative that the AHC source alternate funding to ensure that the project remains financially viable, and delivered in one stage.
 
Secondly, the AHC would like to address comments made by Nathan Moran, CEO of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) that the AHC has not consulted the Aboriginal community on changes to The Pemulwuy Project.
 
As part of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community, MLALC have been formally invited to attend the community consultation evening to be held tonight at Redfern Community Centre. It is the intention of the AHC to involve all members of the Redfern community as one, hence this evening’s community consultation. 
 
The MLALC has not approached the AHC informing that they would be willing to mortgage their assets to assist in funding The Pemulwuy Project.
 
The AHC is proud to realise the right to self-determination by making history with the development of the Pemulwuy Project, as the only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group to embark on such a project.
 
The Pemulwuy Project will be a thriving community of social inclusion. The project will breathe new life into the community and embrace a new platform for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Pemulwuy Project is a foundation of growth for the community. 
 
This project is just the beginning for the AHC, the proposed funding solution will allow the AHC to deliver, enhance and extend their core business objective of providing affordable housing to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community far beyond the delivery of The Pemulwuy Project.
 
-ENDS-
 
 
About the Aboriginal Housing Company
 
The Aboriginal Housing Company (AHC) is an independent non-profit charity and the first community housing provider in Australia, incorporated in 1973 as a company limited by guarantee.  It is an all Aboriginal governed organisation, located in the heart of Redfern, which lies in the traditional lands of the Gadigal People, part of the Eora Nation.
 
The company was formed in direct response to the widespread discrimination Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and families experienced in the private rental market.  The AHC is self-funded and operates on income derived from rental properties.  Affordable housing is located across Sydney and country regions in NSW.
 
A current focus is the redevelopment known as Pemulwuy Project.  The redevelopment will breathe new life into Redfern and restore a strong and healthy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community with an emphasis on cultural values, spirituality and employment.  The Pemulwuy Project will make Redfern the best urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Australia and in doing so, set the benchmark for all other communities.